KR102019135B1 - Fabric treating apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A processing chamber in which clothing is mounted, and a casing forming a machine chamber below the processing chamber; A base defining a bottom of the machine room; A heat pump module for conditioning air supplied into the processing chamber; At least one supporter supporting the heat pump module and defining a predetermined receiving area between the base and a lower side of the heat pump module; A steam generation module fixedly disposed in the accommodation area for generating steam for supplying into the processing chamber; And a controller configured to control at least one of the heat pump module and the steam generating module, and disposed below the steam generating module in the receiving area.

Description

Clothing processing device {FABRIC TREATING APPARATUS}

The present invention relates to a laundry treatment apparatus.

 The clothes treating apparatus refers to all devices for managing clothes such as washing, drying, or improving wrinkles of clothes in a home or a laundry.

For example, a clothing treatment apparatus includes a washing machine for washing clothes, a dryer for drying clothes, a dry washing machine that combines washing and drying functions, a refresher for refreshing clothes, and a steamer for improving unnecessary wrinkles of clothes. (Steamer).

The refresher is a device for making the condition of clothes comfortable and fresh, and performs functions such as drying clothes, supplying fragrance to clothes, preventing static electricity from being produced, or improving wrinkles of clothes.

A steamer is a device that removes wrinkles of clothing by simply supplying steam to the clothing. Unlike a conventional iron, steamers remove wrinkles of clothing without directly heating the clothing.

The clothes treating apparatus equipped with the functions of the refresher and the steamer may perform functions such as wrinkles and odor removal of the clothes stored therein by using steam and hot air.

7 shows a machine room of a conventional laundry treatment apparatus. Referring to FIG. 7, the conventional laundry treatment apparatus 700 includes a machine room in which various devices are installed in the lower portion of the casing 710. Apparatuses installed in the machine room include a blower 730 and a compressor 740 shown in the drawing, as shown in FIG. 3, a steam generation module, a heat pump module, a controller, and the like. In particular, among these devices, steam generating module, heat pump module and / or controller should be withdrawn from the machine room for maintenance, maintenance, and other devices such as blower 730 or compressor 740, as shown in the figure. Because of the interference with, it was not possible to withdraw from the machine room without removing the other devices. Therefore, in the related art, first, devices that cause interference must be sequentially removed, and then devices that require maintenance and repair must be removed, or the base 720 itself must be separated from the casing 10 while the devices are installed. This method has a problem that the maintenance and maintenance of the devices are cumbersome and time-consuming.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is first, to provide a laundry treatment apparatus that can facilitate the maintenance and repair of the devices by improving the arrangement of the devices in the machine room.

Second, to provide a clothes handling apparatus that solves the conventional problem that had to withdraw other devices together when withdrawing a particular device from the machine room.

Third, in particular, a controller, a steam generating module, a heat pump module and the like to provide a clothes handling apparatus that can be withdrawn from the machine room independently of each other.

Fourth, to provide a clothes treatment apparatus that improves the space utilization of the machine room.

Clothing processing apparatus of the present invention, the processing chamber is a garment is mounted, and the casing to form a machine room to the lower side of the processing chamber; A base defining a bottom of the machine room; A heat pump module for conditioning air supplied into the processing chamber; At least one supporter supporting the heat pump module and defining a predetermined receiving area between the base and a lower side of the heat pump module; A steam generation module fixedly disposed in the accommodation area for generating steam for supplying into the processing chamber; And a controller configured to control at least one of the heat pump module and the steam generating module, and disposed below the steam generating module in the receiving area.

Clothing processing apparatus of the present invention can facilitate the maintenance and repair of the device, there is an effect that can reduce the time required for maintenance, repair.

In addition, there is an effect that can solve the conventional problem that had to withdraw other devices together when withdrawing a particular device from the machine room.

In addition, there is an effect that can improve the space utilization of the machine room.

1 is a perspective view of a laundry treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows a device assembly installed in the machine room of FIG. 1.
3 is an exploded perspective view of the device assembly of FIG. 2.
4 illustrates the assembly process of the device assembly of FIG. 2 in sequence.
5 illustrates a structure in which the supporter is installed on the base.
6 shows the installation structure of the heat pump module.
7 shows a machine room of a conventional laundry treatment apparatus.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, in describing the present invention, when it is determined that a detailed description of a related known function or configuration may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. Even if the terms are the same, if the displayed portions are different, it is to be noted that the reference numerals do not match.

The terms to be described below are terms set in consideration of functions in the present invention, and may be changed according to a user's intention or custom such as an experimenter and a measurer, and the definitions should be made based on the contents throughout the present specification.

In this specification, terms such as first and second may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first component may be referred to as the second component, and similarly, the second component may also be referred to as the first component. The term and / or includes a combination of a plurality of related items or any item of a plurality of related items.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. A singular expression includes a plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Terms such as those defined in the commonly used dictionaries should be construed as having meanings consistent with the meanings in the context of the related art and shall not be construed in ideal or excessively formal meanings unless expressly defined in this application. Do not.

In addition, when a part is said to "include" a certain component, this means that it may further include other components, except to exclude other components unless otherwise stated.

1 is a perspective view of a laundry treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a device assembly installed in the machine room of FIG. 1. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the device assembly of FIG. 2. 4 illustrates the assembly process of the device assembly of FIG. 2 in sequence. 5 illustrates a structure in which the supporter is installed on the base. 6 shows the installation structure of the heat pump module.

1 to 6, the clothes treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a casing 10 that forms a processing chamber 11 having an open front surface, and an open front surface of the processing chamber 11. And an opening door 20.

The upper part of the processing chamber 11 is provided with a rinse (30) to hang the hanger for mounting the clothes. The rinser 30 may be configured to be moved back and forth, up and down and / or left and right in the processing chamber 11 by a driving device such as a motor (not shown), and such a movement is preferably a reciprocating motion having a constant cycle. .

In the casing 10, the machine room 12 may be provided outside the process chamber 11 (preferably, below the process chamber 11), and the heat pump module 110 and the controller ( 120, the steam generating module 130, etc., various devices may be arranged. In particular, the casing 10 may include a base 400 that defines the bottom of the machine room 12. The base 400 may be made of a metal plate.

Meanwhile, in the lower portion of the processing chamber 11, steam generated by the blower port 51 and / or the steam generating module 130 discharging the air pushed by the blower 140 into the processing chamber 11 is processed into the processing chamber 11. A steam discharge port 52 for discharging into may be formed. In this embodiment, although the air vent 51 and the steam discharge port 52 are integrally formed in the process chamber lower panel 50 defining the lower part of the process chamber 11, the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto.

Steam generation module 130 is a device for generating steam. The steam generation module 130 may include a heater for heating water, and the steam generated by the heater operation may be guided to the steam outlet 52 through a predetermined steam supply passage (not shown).

A water supply tank 41 for containing water supplied to the steam generation module 130 may be provided below the processing chamber 11. The water container 41 may be detachably coupled to the casing 10. The user may replenish the water after removing the water container 41 from the casing 10.

The machine room 12 may be provided with a sump (not shown) for collecting condensate generated while the steam generated by the steam generating module 130 moves along the steam supply passage. The sump may also be connected to the processing chamber 11, and in this case, condensate collected at the bottom of the processing chamber 11 may be collected into the sump.

The base 400 may be provided with a drain pump 182 for discharging the condensed water collected in the sump into the drain container 42. The drain container 42 may be detachably coupled to the casing 10. After the user separates the sump 42 from the casing 10, the collected condensate can be discarded. The sump may be provided at an inner lower portion of the air supply duct 130, and a nozzle module 181 may be further provided to discharge the condensed water collected in the sump to the drain container 42 through the drain pump 182. .

The base 400 may have a water supply pump 186 for supplying water in the water supply tank 41 to the steam generation module 130. The feed water pump 186 may be connected to the steam generating module 130 and the flow path through the feed water lake 185.

The heat pump module 110 is to match the air supplied into the processing chamber 11, is connected to the compressor 160 through the refrigerant passage, in the process of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 160 is transferred through the refrigerant passage And condenser, expander and evaporator which in turn pass.

Referring to FIG. 3, the heat pump module 110 may include a housing 111 forming a space for accommodating the condenser. The housing 111 may have an inlet 110a for introducing air into the space in which the condenser is accommodated, and a discharge port 110b for discharging air exchanged through the inlet 110a to exchange heat with the condenser. Meanwhile, not only a condenser but also an evaporator may be accommodated in the housing 111.

The blower 140 is a device for air blowing, and includes a blower fan rotated by a motor, and a blower 142 through which the air blown by the blower fan is discharged is provided with the inlet 110a of the housing 111. Communicating. Therefore, the air blown by the blower 140 is supplied into the housing 111 through the inlet 110a, and the air thus supplied is heated through heat exchange with the condenser, thereby discharging the outlet 110b of the housing 111. Hot air is discharged through). In an embodiment, the blower 140 flows the air introduced along the rotational axial direction of the blowing fan (centrifugal fan) through the inlet 141 to the blower 142 along the flow path in the form of a scroll surrounding the blowing fan. Centrifugal blowers for guiding and discharging, but are not necessarily limited thereto.

An air supply duct 150 for guiding air to the inlet 141 of the blower 140 may be disposed in front of the blower 140. The air supply duct 150 may be fixed by the blower 140, but is not limited thereto and may be fixed by the base 400.

The blower mounting tab 420 may be formed in the base 400. The blower installation tab 420 may be formed by cutting the base 400 and then bending the cut portion vertically. The blower 140 may be coupled to the blower installation tab 420 by a fastening member such as a screw or a screw.

In order to effectively utilize the space in the machine room 12, the air supply duct 150 has a passage in which air flows up and down long, and the passage is formed in a shape in which the width in the front-rear direction is narrower than the width in the left-right direction Can be. The air supply duct 150 may have an inlet 151 formed at an upper portion thereof, and an outlet (not shown) communicating with the air outlet 141 of the blower 140 may be formed at the lower portion thereof. Air in the processing chamber 11 may be sucked through the inlet 151.

The supporter 170 supports the heat pump module 110 and defines a predetermined receiving area S between the base 400 and the lower side of the heat pump module 110. That is, since the heat pump module 110 is supported by the supporter 170, the heat pump module 110 is disposed above the base 400, and the accommodation area S allowed by the heat pump module 110 is spaced apart from the base 400. ) May be used as a space for installing other devices, in particular, the steam generation module 130 and the controller 120.

The supporter 170 may be provided in plural, and in one embodiment, a pair of supporters 170 spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction on the base 400 is provided. Hereinafter, different reference numerals are given to the respective supporters 170 to distinguish the supporters 170 (1) located at the front side and the supporters 170 (2) located at the rear side as necessary.

Referring to FIG. 5, the supporter 170 includes at least two legs 171 and 172 fixed on the base 400, and a cradle 173 extending laterally and supported by the legs 171 and 172. It may include. Supporter fixing tabs 174 having a surface facing the base 400 may be formed at the lower ends of the legs 171 and 172, and the base 400 may have clothing as shown in FIG. 5A. A supporter fixing part 410 having a supporter fastener 411 into which the supporter fixing tab 174 is inserted in the front-rear direction of the processing apparatus 1 may be formed.

The supporter fixing part 410 cuts the base 400 in a direction crossing the direction in which the supporter fixing tab 174 is inserted, and then cuts the base 400 around the cut part (that is, the supporter fastener 411). It may be formed by pressing the constant region 412 upwards.

With the supporter fixing tab 174 inserted into the supporter fixing part 410 through the supporter fastener 411, the upward movement of the supporter 170 is such that the supporter fixing tab 174 is supported by the supporter fastener ( 411 is restrained by being caught by the back of the peripheral area 412.

The supporter 170 may be provided with two or more. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, one of the two supporters 170 is installed at a relatively front portion of the base 400 (170 (1)). The supporter fixing tab 174 is inserted into the supporter fastener 411 through the forward movement, and the one installed at the rear portion of the base 400 (170 (2)) is moved through the backward movement. The supporter fixing tab 174 may be inserted into the supporter fixing part 410 which opens toward the front. The base 400 and the supporter 170 may be coupled to each other by fastening members such as screws or bolts passing through the supporter fixing part 410 and the supporter fixing tab 174 in the vertical direction.

The supporter 170 may be formed of a metal material capable of plastic working. The supporter 170 may be formed of a single part in which the legs 171, 172, the supporter fixing tab 174, and the holder 173 are integrally formed by cutting and then folding a metal plate according to a predetermined design. have. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be formed by injection molding of a synthetic resin material, or may be formed by combining two or more components with each other.

The heat pump module 110 may be disposed on the holder 173. The cradle 173 may include a pair of side surfaces 173b having an outer circumferential surface facing the front and rear, respectively, and an upper surface 173a having an outer circumferential surface facing upward and connecting between the pair of side surfaces 173b. The cradle 173 may be formed by bending the metal plate at least twice.

Referring to FIG. 6, at least one coupling part 115 and 116 coupled to the cradle 173 may be formed at a lower side of the housing 111. Referring to FIG. 6A, the coupling part 115 may have a first contact surface 115a contacting the upper surface 173a of the holder 173. The first contact surface 115a is disposed substantially horizontally in correspondence with the upper surface 173a. After raising the first contact surface 115a on the upper surface 173a of the holder 173, the first contact surface 115a and the upper surface 173a of the holder 173 may be coupled to each other using a fastening member.

 Referring to FIG. 6B, the coupling part 116 may have a second contact surface 116a contacting the side surface 173b of the cradle 173. In this case, the second contact surface 116a is disposed substantially perpendicular to the side surface 173b and may be coupled to the side surface 173b of the cradle 173 by the fastening member. Preferably, the first contact surface 115a is engaged with the upper surface 173a of the supporter 170 (1), and the second contact surface 116a is engaged with the side surface 173b of the supporter 170 (2).

The controller 120 controls various devices constituting the clothes treating apparatus 1, and may include a circuit board and electronic devices mounted on the circuit board. The heat pump module 110, the steam generating module 130, the blower 140, and / or the compressor 160 may be controlled by the controller 120.

The circuit board is accommodated in a main body that forms the exterior of the controller 120. The controller 120 may be disposed in the receiving area S between the supporter 170 and the base 400, and is preferably disposed on the base 400.

3 and 5, the controller fixing tab 121 may be formed in the main body of the controller 120, and the controller fastener 414 in which the controller fixing tab 121 is inserted is formed in the base 400. Can be. The controller fixing tab 121 may be formed of a plate body extending toward the front or the rear. In the state where the controller fixing tab 121 is inserted into the controller fastener 414, the upward movement of the controller 120 is restrained by the controller fixing tab 121 hanging on the bottom surface of the base 400.

Preferably, the controller fixing tab 121 protrudes forward from the main body of the controller 120, and is inserted into or detached from the controller fastener 414 according to the forward and backward movement of the controller 120 on the base 400. This is done.

An opening (see FIG. 7) may be formed in the rear portion of the casing 10 to allow at least the controller 120 to pass therethrough. Preferably, the opening is formed to allow passage of the heat pump module 110 and the steam generating module 130 as well.

According to an embodiment, the casing 10 may include a panel (not shown) shielding the opening, and the panel is preferably detachably coupled to the casing 10.

When the controller 120 is installed in the base 400 or when the controller 120 is separated from the base 400 for maintenance, the controller 120 may enter and exit the machine room 12 through the opening. In particular, when the heat pump module 110 is disposed above the controller 120 and the blower 140 is disposed in front of the controller 120 as in the embodiment, the blower 140 or the controller 120. ) Is not an obstacle in the detachment process of the controller 120, the controller 120 can be withdrawn from the machine room 12 without removing the heat pump module 110 or the blower 140 from the device assembly 2. In this case, the controller 120 may be easily repaired or replaced.

Steam generating module 130 is disposed in the receiving area (S), preferably, may be disposed above the controller 120. The steam generation module 130 may be fixed by the supporter 170. One of the steam generating module 130 and the supporter 170 may be formed with a steam generating module fixing tab (not shown), and the other steam generating module installation hole is inserted into the steam generating module fixing tab (175 degrees) 5) may be formed. The steam generating module installation unit 175 may be formed in at least one of the pair of supporters 170. Preferably, the steam generating module installation port 175 is formed on the front 170 (1) of the pair of supporters 170, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

Steam generating module installation port 175 may be formed on the side (173b) of the cradle (173). The steam generating module 130 is installed on the supporter 170 in a state where the steam generating module fixing tab is inserted into the steam generating module installation hole 175, and the supporter 170 in which the steam generating module 130 is located at the front thereof. (1)) in the installed state can be used to fasten the supporter 170 (2) and the steam generating module 130 on the back using a fastening member.

Hereinafter, a process of configuring the device assembly 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. The dotted lines shown in FIG. 4 indicate the position and the fastening direction in which the fastening member is fastened. As shown in (a) of FIG. 4, in the state in which the compressor 160 is installed in the base 400, the heat pump module 110 may be installed in the supporter 170. The coupling parts 115 and 116 of the heat pump module 110 are fixed to the holder 173 by using the fastening member. A refrigerant pipe for guiding the refrigerant may be connected between the compressor 160 and the heat pump module 110.

Referring to FIG. 4B, the controller 120 may be inserted into the receiving area S under the supporter 170 and then installed in the base 400. After the controller fixing tab 121 is inserted into the controller fastener 414 to fix the controller 120, the controller 120 and the base 400 may be coupled by the fastening member.

Referring to FIG. 4C, the blower 140 may be installed in front of the supporter 170. The blower 140 may be fastened to the blower installation tab 420 by a fastening member.

Referring to FIG. 4 (d), the drainage pump 182 and the feed water pump 186 may be installed in the base 400. A drain pump 182 and a feed water pump 186 may be disposed at both sides of the blower 140, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 4E, the air supply duct 150 may be installed in front of the blower 140. One of the blower 140 and the air supply duct 150 may be formed with a pin (not shown) extending in the front and rear direction, and the other may be formed with a pin insertion hole (not shown) into which the pin is inserted. have. After inserting the pin into the pin insertion hole, the air supply duct 150 may be properly positioned, and then the air supply duct 150 may be coupled to the blower 140 using a fastening member.

Referring to Figure 4 (f), after the steam generating module 130 is inserted into the receiving area (S) under the supporter 170, the steam generating module fixed tab formed on the steam generating module 130 is the steam generating module By being inserted into the installation tool 175, after the steam generating module 130 is in place, the steam generating module 130 and the supporter 170 may be coupled by a fastening member. During maintenance, the fastening member is located at the rear of the pair of supporters 170 so that the steam generating module 130 can be easily separated through an opening (see FIG. 7) located at the rear of the casing 10 (170). (2)) is preferably fastened.

Referring to FIG. 4G, a noise filter 183 and a handle 184 that grips when the user moves the device assembly 2 may be installed in the base 400. The noise filter 183 passes only necessary components among the signals input to the controller 120 and attenuates the noise components.

Referring to Figure 4 (h), the water supply hose 185 for connecting the water supply pump 186 and the steam generating module 130, the nozzle module 181, hoses for connecting the nozzle module 181 and the sump, the nozzle Various hoses such as a hose connecting the module 181 and the drain pump 182 may be connected to the devices.

Claims (18)

A casing including a processing chamber in which clothes are mounted and a front part is opened, and a machine chamber provided below the processing chamber;
An opening provided at a rear portion of the machine room;
A panel detachably coupled to the casing to selectively shield the opening;
A base providing a bottom of the machine room;
A supporter coupled to the base to define a predetermined accommodation area between the base and the base;
A blower positioned in front of the supporter;
A heat pump module supported by the supporter and configured to match air supplied from the blower;
A steam generation module provided in the accommodation area to generate steam supplied to the processing chamber; And
A controller positioned at a rear portion of the machine room to control at least one of the blower, the heat pump module, and the steam generating module;
When the panel is separated, the controller is exposed, so that the controller can be pulled in and out through the opening.
The method of claim 1,
The supporter is a clothes processing apparatus, characterized in that it comprises at least two legs coupled to the base.
The method of claim 2,
The supporter further includes a cradle supported by the legs,
The heat pump module is a clothes processing apparatus, characterized in that fixed to the top of the cradle.
The method of claim 3,
The lower end of the leg is formed with a supporter fixing tab having a surface facing the base,
The base has a supporter fixing portion having a supporter fastener having a supporter fastener into which the supporter fixing tab is inserted.
The method of claim 3,
The supporter is provided with a plurality, the cradle is a clothes processing apparatus, characterized in that provided in one plane.
The method of claim 4, wherein
The base is made of a metal material,
The supporter fixing part is formed by plastic processing the base.
The method of claim 6,
The supporter fixing portion,
And a base having a predetermined length in the direction crossing the direction in which the supporter fixing tab is inserted, and then pressing a predetermined area around the cut portion upward.
The method of claim 7, wherein
Apparel processing apparatus for forming the supporter fastener by the plastic deformation of the cut portion.
The method according to any one of claims 4 to 8,
The base and the supporter,
Clothing processing apparatus coupled to each other by a fastening member for passing the supporter fixing portion and the supporter fixing tab in the vertical direction.
The method of claim 3,
Any one of the steam generating module and the supporter is formed with a steam generating module fixing tab, the other is a steam generating module installation port is formed is inserted into the steam generating module fixing tab.
The method of claim 10,
The supporter includes a pair of supporters spaced apart in the front-rear direction of the base,
Any one of the pair of supporters is provided with the steam generating module installation port,
The steam generating module is provided with the steam generating module fixed tab,
The steam generating module fixing tab is inserted into the steam generating module installation port, characterized in that the steam generating module is coupled to the other of the supporter.
The method of claim 11,
The base includes a blower installation tab bent perpendicularly to the base bottom surface,
The blower is a clothes processing apparatus, characterized in that coupled to the blower installation tab.
The method of claim 12,
The heat pump module includes a housing forming a space for receiving a condenser inward,
At least one coupling part is formed at the lower side of the housing to couple to the cradle of the supporter, so that the housing and the cradle can be coupled to each other.
The method of claim 13,
The coupling part has a first contact surface in contact with an upper surface of the cradle, and the first contact surface and the upper surface may be coupled to each other by using the fastening member after raising the housing on the upper surface that engages the first contact surface. Clothing processing apparatus made of.
The method of claim 14,
The coupling part has a second contact surface in contact with the side surface of the holder, and the housing is disposed on the side surface corresponding to the second contact surface, and then the coupling member can couple the second contact surface and the side surface. Clothing processing apparatus, characterized in that.
The method of claim 15,
Among the pair of supporters, the first contact surface provided on one supporter has an upper surface of the first contact surface and the first support platform, and the second support surface provided on the other supporter has the second contact surface and the second support platform. After the side is coupled, the clothes treating apparatus, characterized in that for fixing the housing, the first cradle and the second cradle using a fastening member.
The method of claim 16,
The controller is provided with a controller fixing tab on the body to form an appearance,
The controller fastener for the controller fixing tab is inserted into the base is provided
Apparel processing apparatus, characterized in that the controller fixing tab to be introduced or removed to the controller fastener.
A processing chamber in which the front part on which the clothes are mounted is opened and a casing for forming a machine room under the processing chamber;
An opening provided in a rear portion of the machine room;
A panel detachably coupled to the casing to shield the opening;
A base providing a bottom of the machine room;
At least one supporter fixed on the base and defining a predetermined receiving area between the base;
A heat pump module supported by the supporter and configured to match air supplied into the processing chamber;
A compressor positioned on one side of the supporter and fixed to the base and connected to the heat pump module to compress and circulate a refrigerant;
A blower positioned in front of the supporter and blowing air to the heat pump module; And
A steam generation module provided in a receiving area of the supporter to generate steam for supplying into the processing chamber; Clothing processing apparatus comprising a.

Images